MASTERTON-TE WHARAU TELEPHONE SERVICE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9190, 12 September 1908, Page 5

MASTERTON-TE WHARAU TELEPHONE SERVICE.

THE QUESTION OF DIRECT COMMUNICA'IION. AN OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION. At the request of a number of settlers on the East Coast the Masterton Chamber of Commerce recently passed a resolution that the Superintendent of Electric Lines be approached in reference to the establishment of a direct line of telephonic communication between Masterton aiid Te Wharau, via Gladscone. The Chamber were informed that the only present means of communication, via Carterton, was very unsatisfactory, to the settlers, as great delays occurred in getting connected with the Masterton Exchange, and there were other reasons why there should be a direct line of telephonic communication. Yesterday the following reply was received by the Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce (Mr J. C. Boddington) from Mr J. K. Logan, Superintendent of Electric Lines:—' "Sir,—ln reference to your letters of the 2lst July and 24th ultimo, asking that telephonic communication be established between Masterton and Te Wharau via Gladstone, I have the honour, by direction, to inform you that the number of bureau messages transmitted between Masterton and Te Wharau on the present wire via Carterton does not exceed five per day. It is stated that no great delay occurs in obtaining communication. To establish the desired communicaiton by way of Gladstone would cost £2BO, and as sufficient provision has already been made for the ic is regretted that this expenditure cannct be authorised.